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10 Proven Ways To Open Your Next Awesome Blog Post

Do you read articles to the end? I mean, do you ALWAYS read them to the end?

I don’t.

Starting from the title you write, till the last statement of the introduction of your article, you’re put through a test by your readers. If your title interests them, they’ll read further. Your opening statement should be so much alluring, that they just can’t stop there and switch back to the Google results. No!

This is the only chance the reader gives you to prove the worth of that article. If you do, you get it. If you don’t, you lose.

It is so important that I decided to put together some convincing ways to open your blog post. Here it goes…

1. Use a strong quote

Using a strong and subtle quote at the beginning of an article has always proved to be intriguing for the reader. Quotes are supposed to be tough, and thus, provide a foundation on which you can build your article. Quotes are thought-provoking.

Example

Every woman I know, particularly the senior ones, has been called too aggressive at work. We know in gender blind studies that men are more aggressive in their offices than women. We know that. Yet we’re busy telling all the women that they’re too aggressive. That’s the issue. – Sheryl Sandberg

2. Use a 2-word sentence/or at least be direct

Get out. Be spooky. Starting with a sentence that consists of just two words leaves room for reflection. Readers are bound to move on to the next sentence to see what you’re trying to say.

Example

Stop struggling. Struggling to write a simple blog post can make the situation worse. Head on to the list of to-do’s to make your task easier.

3. Ask a provocative question

When an article opens with a question that requires the reader to actually answer something, she’ll be bound to stop a moment and think about it. If you’ll ask her a very simple yes-no type question, she might well be gone. A way of keeping her there with your yes-no type question is to ask a question that she can relate with herself. The second way can be to ask her a “what” which is undeniably the best option.

Example

What makes you heartbroken about being a blogger?

4. Ask an MCQ (Multiple choice question)

Another way of asking a question at the beginning of an article is an MCQ – Multiple Choice Question. This is really innovative and will help your reader with options. She can at least think about the options and will read further to see if she’s right or wrong. So, try proving her right and even if she’s wrong, she can see it positively for herself.

Example

What kind of blogger do you think you are?

a) one who researches the topic beforehand

b) one who checks for statistical errors after writing

c) one who prefers copying someone else’s post

d) one who doesn’t give a sh** about SEO

5. State an analogy

An analogy is something that can force your reader to find the similarities in the two things you’re talking about. This is an excellent engaging technique and makes the articles look worthy of the reader’s attention.

Example

Shakespeare’s As You Like It-

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players . . .”.

6. Create an imagination

From the start, push the reader to imagine something. Guide her step-by-step in a flow and explain each detail. Let her envision what you’re saying. When you’re done, break the silence and come to the reality. She’ll come along to see what you have for her.

Example

Sipping the coffee and lying on a couch, makes people think it’s an easy job to do. Only a blogger knows what this really means. A coffee to keep herself awake through the day and then, through the night; a couch just to give her enough space to make herself comfortable for the 18 hours job she’s on. It’s not even given the respect of being a job. But, you know, it is a job.

7. Reveal an awful statistic

This might sound not-too-good but this works. Statistics are instantly believed and hence have the power to convey more with fewer words. The numbers look dangerous and the readers tend to see further what they can mean to them.

Example

The most active bloggers are younger people who have grown up during the blogging “revolution”, which started about seven years ago. Bloggers in the 21 to 35 year-old demographic group account for 53.3% of the total blogging population. This group is followed by the generation just behind them – people 20-years-old or under are 20.2% of the blogging landscape. This group is closely followed by 36-to-50 year-olds (19.4%), while bloggers who are 51-years-old and older only account for 7.1%.

Courtesy: sysomos.com

8. Write a funny/dirty opening sentence/paragraph

Everybody should agree that wherever you see words like ‘naked’, ‘crave’, ‘forbidden’, ‘steamy’, ‘uncensored’ and such, you’re obligated to open and read. You can very intelligently use this tactic to introduce your topic.

Example

It will please some of you to know that I almost titled this article ‘What’s My Name, Bitch?’ it will please the rest of you to know that I realized not everyone spends as much time watching hardcore porn as I do and begrudgingly decided against it.

Courtesy: Who The Hell Are YOU? by Naomi Dunford

9. Share your personal situation

Start with “I am a…” or “This happened to me once when…”, or something like this where you tell a short tale about yourself in a situation relevant to the title. make it 2-3 sentences only. This can be something very common so that the reader can feel that she’s not alone. This will make her feel keen.

Example

I was scared to write paragraphs in English as it is not my first language. Blogging looked scary initially. Then I realized that I have similar thoughts for Hindi which is my first language. And, then I said, “Hell, yeah!”

10. Create suspense/teaser

Open with a sentence that doesn’t give full information and asks the reader to wait. They won’t. They’ll read as fast they can and you’ll win.

Example

Blogging is scary.

What if I told you you’re thinking wrong?

What if there’s a way out to ace it at blogging?

These were some suggestions that I had for all of you bloggers who are reading this. You must be stuck at writing the next one, I understand. Even when you know what to write about, it can be a humongous challenge to push the door and write those first words.

If you have more ideas, then feel free to add yours to the list by leaving a comment. It’s great to help each other out. Glad!

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About Vertika Nigam

Vertika is the founder of WitsAndWings
She has decided to make her each day useful to every woman who has a spark and wants to follow her dream. She loves to write and be a shoulder strong enough for anyone who reads it. She loves to dance and wishes to hit the gym one day!

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W&W is an interactive space to connect the talents of the women in India, who otherwise do not have any opportunity to do so. W&W is an interactive ecosystem where women of different capabilities connect with each other and promote self-growth and mutual growth, socially and economically.... Continue Reading…